Lucknow. With the help of three wickets each from Tanush Kotian and experienced spinner Shams Mulani, Mumbai bowled out Rest of India for 416 runs in the first innings and took a lead of 121 runs on the fourth day of the Irani Cup match.
Taking the score of unbeaten 151 runs forward, on the fourth day, Abhimanyu Easwaran along with wicketkeeper batsman Dhruv Jurel made a partnership of 165 runs for the fifth wicket.
Jurel had played an inning of 93 runs. This 165run partnership was crucial for the team after the top four batsmen of Rest of India were out cheaply.
Jurel was in his best form and faced the Mumbai spinners with ease. He hit one six and 13 fours in his innings of 121 balls, but just before lunch he was caught in Mulani's net and he missed the century by just seven runs.
Easwaran also missed out on a major record as he was out for 191 runs shortly after Jurel's dismissal. The Bengal captain was looking in great form but fell victim to Mulani and missed out on scoring a double century by just 9 runs. Mulani's double strike just before lunch turned the tide in Mumbai's favor as he took two crucial wickets in succession.
Rest of India had scored 400 runs for 6 wickets till lunch, with Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain unbeaten at the crease. But the last four wickets of the team fell for just 20 runs.
Accurate bowling from Mulani and Kotian played a key role for Mumbai, while Mohi Awasthi took two wickets and debutant Mohammad Junaid Khan took one wicket.
Brief scores: Mumbai 537 in 141 overs (Sarfaraz Khan 222 not out, Ajinkya Rahane 97; Mukesh Kumar 5110, Yash Dayal 289) Lead Rest of India 416 in 110 overs (Abhimanyu Easwaran 191, Dhruv Jurel 93; Tanush Kotian 3) -101, Shams Mulani 3122)
—
– .
Image Credit: KhasKhabar.